Means for indicating the impact of bodies at a distance.



N0.729,7os. vPATENTED JUNE 2,1903.- .'r. URRUTIA Y MOTTA. 1

MEANS FRINDIGATING THB IMPACTA OF BODIES AT A DISTANCE.V

\ APPLIGATIONPILBD 00T.2a.19o1.

No MODEL.

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Nirnf .ATENT Patented .Tune 2, i 1903.

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MEANS FOR INDICATING THE IMPACT `0I` BODIES AT A DISTANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part ci' Letters Patent 729,703, dated J une 2, 1903. Application ned ombelzs. 1901. .serai No. sasso. (No man.)

.To all wiz/om, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JUAN URRUTIA Y MOTTA, a subject of the King of Spain, residing and having my postloffice address at Getafe, near Madrid, Spain, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Indicating the Impact of Bodies at a Distance, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relatesto means for indicating the impact of bodies at a distance, and is particularly applcable'as a recording-target or as a phonometer. I will describe it in relation to a target, by way of example.

To carry the invention into effect, I arrange one cr more vertical plates having knife edges or points at their lower part, Which rest upon suitable bearing plates or blocks. Each plate ismaintained in a vertical position by means of spiral springs, one end of each spring being attached to the back of the target-plate., while the other end is attached to a vertical frame arranged at the back of the said plate. Means are provided to vary the strength or range of l1110-: tion of the said springs according to the force of impact of the projectile or the Windpressure. Means are also provided to check the movement of the plate preferably in relation to a graduated scale. Each plate ear.- ries4 an adjustable contact-piece adapted to make electrical connection with another contact-piece carried hy the frame. Each con: tact is connected by a line-Wire leading to an indicator at the `point of observation, so that each plate has a separate indicator. The indicator consists of a pointer mounted on an axis adapted to rotate under the act-ion of weight or spring. This axis carries a toothed Wheel, which forms part of an escapement mechanism controlled by an electromagnet, the coils of Which are coupled up in series in the line-wire.

The operation of the device is as follows: When a projectile strikes the,plate,"it causes it to oscillate with an' amplitude proportional to the moment of the impact aboutthe axis of movement of theplate. Thus the number of contacts made bythe electrical contactpoint will indicate the effect of the blow on the plate, and at each Contact a current passes along the line and allows the indicator j electrical connections.

orG2, respectively, on the frame.

to move through the angular distance of one tooth.' For example, with a given distance and projectile one contact may mean the `plate has been hit near the bottom or axis,

two contacts the center portion, and three contacts the top portion of the plate. `As the amplitude of vibration islirnited, the difference in the effect of impactsfarther from or nearer the fulcrum of the plate,respectively, is represented by a variation in the number of vibrations before the Asystem comes again to rest. y

In the annexed drawings, Figure l is a perspective. Viewof the frame of a target to hold three target-plates one above the other in the general form of outline of a man. an elevation of the rear side of one of the removed target-plates. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view in side elevation, representing the target-plates in position and illustrating the Fig: 4 is a front elevationof the indicating mechanism, showing also the electrical connections with corresponding parts of the target-frame and targets. Fig. 5/is a detail vie1 of part of Fig.

I.. Fig. 6 is a detail View of part of Fig. 4. A is a frame, the detail construction of which is unimportant. In the example illustrated it consists of a base A', carrying uprights A2 A2, propped vertically by struts A3 A3, and folding pieces A7, hinged to the tops of the upright-s.,`

A4 is a removable frame for supportiug the frame A5 when raised to the position shown.

Frame A5 slides on uprights A? A2 and is raised by rack-and-pinion gear AG A8.

B is a plumb-hob, and B a mark on the frame in Arelation thereto for ascertaining that the Vframe is duly placed, so that the targets will be upright.

(l C C C', C2 C2, respectively, are pallets in which rest the pointed fulcra D D, in `which the targets oscillate. Each target E, Fig. 2, has two such fulcra D D at its base. At a suitable place on the back of each targetE is attached one end of ahelical spring F,the other end of which is attached to a cross-bar G, G',

Each target is thus resiliently connected to the frame in such a way that ou receiving an impact it vibrates upon its fulcra to and from the frame, according to the vibration of said spring. Its

rigen ICO vibration toward the frame is limited by the adjustable thereby according to a scale J4.

Abutment-screws Il H' H2 may also serve as electrical contacts and are respectively in connection with an equivalent number of indicators K K' K2 by means of separate Wires L L' L2. A common return-Wire L3 leads from the indicators to the targets at Ll. L5 is a source of electricity. Each indicator comprises a signal-bell M, an electromagnet N, an armature N', pivoted at N2 and integral with a detent N2.-

N4 is a ratchet-Wheel carrying an indicating-pointer N5 and adapted to be rotated by cord and Weight N6 or other equivalent mechanism. N7 is a pivoted detent.

The operation of these devices is as follows: The target-frame is set up at the desired vplace and targets adjusted thereon. The indicator is placed near the firing-point and electrically connected to the targets and frame. If a shot is noWfired and strikes one of the target-plates, the plate is set in more or less violentvibration,according as the shot struck it higher or lower-that is to say, farther from or nearer to its fulcrumed lower edge. It will thus complete a greater or less number of oscillations before the energy of the impact has been expended and the plate comes again to rest. Each oscillation is represented on the indicator by an audible sounding of the bell belonging to the particular target-plate that Was struck and by an attraction of the corresponding armature N', which withdraws the detent N3 and suffers the Wheel N4 to revolve one tooths space, the released tooth being caught by the detent NT, moved into place by the said movement of detent N2. On return of detentN3 detentN7 is released by its spring Niand detent N8 arrests the next tooth. Each oscillation of the target-plate thus corresponds to a movement of the nger N5 through one division.

l am aware that hinged targets have been used Which when struck by a bullet rock on' their hinges and drop down; but I am not awarethat any target has been used which is so supported that it rocks to and fro for an indefinite number of times at each impact, the amplitude of vibration being proportional to the force of the impact, as in the present target.

I therefore claiml. The combination with an oscillatory target-plate adapted to vibrate back and forth when struck and to return to its normal position, of means located in the path of oscillation of said plate at a definite distance from the normal position of said plate and ada'pted to produce a temporary contact when said plate abuts thereon, and an indicator operated by said temporary contact for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with an oscillatory target-plate adapted to vibrate back and forth when struck, and to return to its normal position, of means adjustably located in the path of oscillation of said plate at a distance from the normal position of said plate, and adapted to produce a temporary contact when said plate abuts thereon, and an indicator operated by said temporary contact for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with an oscillatory target-plate adapted to vibrate-back and forth When struck, and to return to its normal position, of an electric contact device located in the path of oscillation of said plate at a deiinite distance from the normal position of said plate, and adapted to produce a temporary contact when said plate abuts thereon, a distant indicatoradapted to be operated by said temporary contact for the purpose set forth, a source 'of electricity and'a circuit connection for said contact device, indicator and source of electricity.

4. The combination With a target plate adapted to oscillate on an inferiorly-placed axis, means for resiliently supporting said plate in normal position, means located in the path of oscillation of said plate at a definite distance from the normal position of said plate, and adapted to produce a temporary contact when said plate abuts thereon, and an indicator operated by said temporary contact for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two Witnesses.

JUAN URRUTIA Y MOTTA.

Witnesses:

BENITO ARNBLYN, EMILIO VARGUEZ. 

